# Autigny > commune in Seine-Maritime, France **Wikidata**: [Q1112839](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1112839) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autigny,_Seine-Maritime) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/autigny-q1112839-2 ## Summary Autigny is a commune located in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of northern France. Situated at coordinates 49.795°N latitude and 0.86°E longitude, this small rural municipality falls within the arrondissement of Dieppe and the canton of Fontaine-le-Dun. As part of France's administrative structure, Autigny represents one of the nation's thousands of communes—the fundamental territorial subdivisions for municipalities established during the French Revolution in 1789. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Autigny, Seine-Maritime department, Normandy region, France - **Coordinates**: 49.795°N latitude, 0.86°E longitude - **Administrative status**: Commune in the French territorial division system - **Arrondissement**: Dieppe - **Canton**: Fontaine-le-Dun - **Department inception**: Seine-Maritime was established on March 4, 1790 - **Commune system inception**: French communes were established in 1789 - **Country**: France - **Population**: Historical census data shows figures ranging from 305 to 321 residents across multiple recording periods - **Wikipedia title**: Autigny, Seine-Maritime - **Wikidata description**: commune in Seine-Maritime, France - **Sitelink count**: 42 ## FAQs **What region and department is Autigny located in?** Autigny is situated in the Seine-Maritime department, which is located in the Normandy region of northern France. The department was officially created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution's administrative reorganization. **What is the administrative structure of Autigny?** Autigny is classified as a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in France. It belongs to the arrondissement of Dieppe and the canton of Fontaine-le-Dun. The commune system in France dates back to 1789, when municipalities were formally established following the Revolution. **What are the geographical coordinates of Autigny?** Autigny is located at latitude 49.795 degrees north and longitude 0.86 degrees east, placing it in the northern portion of France within the Normandy region. **How large is Autigny's population?** Population figures from various census periods show Autigny has historically had between 305 and 321 residents, indicating a small rural commune characteristic of the Normandy countryside in Seine-Maritime. **What type of government does Autigny have?** As a French commune, Autigny operates under the unitary semi-presidential republic system of France. The commune is administered locally with a mayor and municipal council, while being part of the broader departmental and regional governance structures. ## Why It Matters Autigny matters as an example of the fundamental administrative unit that forms the backbone of French territorial organization. The commune system, which originated during the French Revolution in 1789, represents France's commitment to decentralized local governance. Each of France's approximately 35,000 communes, including Autigny, serves as the primary level of contact between citizens and government, handling local affairs ranging from urban planning to civil registration. The commune's location in Seine-Maritime places it within one of France's departments with significant historical and agricultural importance. The department, created in 1790 as part of the revolutionary reorganization that replaced the old provinces, embodies the Enlightenment principle of rational administrative division based on geography rather than historical privileges. Autigny also represents the rural character of much of Normandy, a region known for its agricultural output, particularly dairy farming and apple orchards that produce the famous Camembert cheese and cider. The small population size reflects the pattern of rural communes throughout France, where many municipalities maintain populations under 500 residents while still providing essential services and maintaining community identity. Furthermore, Autigny's position within the canton of Fontaine-le-Dun and the arrondissement of Dieppe connects it to regional administrative networks that coordinate services, judicial matters, and economic development across the Normandy coast and interior. ## Notable For - **Historical administrative continuity**: Autigny operates under the commune system established in 1789, representing over two centuries of continuous municipal organization - **Rural Normandy character**: The commune exemplifies the small agricultural settlements that dot the Seine-Maritime countryside - **Departmental heritage**: Located in Seine-Maritime, one of France's original departments created during the Revolutionary period - **Local governance representation**: As part of the canton system, Autigny contributes to departmental representation through the general council (now departmental council) ## Body ### Geography and Location Autigny is geographically positioned at 49.795 degrees north latitude and 0.86 degrees east longitude, placing it in the northern part of France within the Normandy region. The commune lies in the interior countryside of Seine-Maritime, away from the coastal areas that characterize parts of the department but within the broader agricultural landscape that defines much of upper Normandy. The region features the gently rolling terrain typical of the Pays de Caux, a plateau region in eastern Normandy known for its rich farmland and scattered villages. This geographical setting has historically supported agricultural activities, particularly grain cultivation and livestock farming, which remain important to the local economy. ### Administrative History and Structure Autigny exists within France's hierarchical administrative system, which was fundamentally restructured during the French Revolution. The commune system was established in 1789, replacing the previous parochial and seigniorial divisions with a uniform municipal organization based on the principles of equality and rational administration. The commune belongs to the canton of Fontaine-le-Dun, which serves as an electoral district for the departmental council. Cantons represent intermediate administrative units between communes and arrondissements, primarily handling judicial and some electoral functions. At the arrondissement level, Autigny falls under Dieppe, one of the arrondissements in the Seine-Maritime department. Arrondissements serve as administrative divisions that coordinate state services, particularly in areas such as police, education, and infrastructure. The Seine-Maritime department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial phase of the French Revolution's administrative reforms. Originally part of the larger Seine-Inférieure department (the name was changed to Seine-Maritime in 1955), the department encompasses the greater Rouen area and the Normandy coast along the English Channel. ### Demographics and Population As a small rural commune, Autigny maintains a modest population typically ranging between 300 and 320 residents based on historical census data. This population size is characteristic of the numerous small municipalities that populate the French countryside, particularly in agricultural regions like Normandy. The population figures reflect the stable nature of rural communities in this part of France, where modest populations have been maintained through generations of families engaged in agriculture and related activities. These communes often serve as residential bases for workers employed in larger towns and cities while maintaining agricultural land use in the surrounding area. ### Regional Context: Normandy and Seine-Maritime Autigny is situated in Normandy, a historical region of France that has played significant roles in French and European history. Normandy is renowned for its agricultural products, including the famous Camembert cheese, Calvados apple brandy, and cider production. The region's dairy farming heritage stems from its lush pastures and favorable climate. The Seine-Maritime department specifically encompasses the Seine River estuary and the Channel coast, including the port city of Le Havre and the historic city of Rouen. The department's name reflects its maritime character, with the Seine River flowing through Rouen before emptying into the English Channel. The arrondissement of Dieppe, to which Autigny belongs, centers on the coastal city of Dieppe, known for its fishing port, beach, and historical significance. The arrondissement includes both coastal and inland communes, reflecting the diversity of the department's geography. ### Local Governance and Administration As a French commune, Autigny is governed by a municipal council headed by a mayor. The mayor serves as the chief executive of the commune, responsible for implementing municipal decisions, managing local services, and representing the commune in legal matters. Municipal council members are elected through local elections held every six years. The commune manages various local affairs, including maintenance of public spaces, local zoning (plan local d'urbanisme), civil status registration (births, marriages, deaths), and coordination of local services. While smaller communes often share certain services through intercommunal structures, they retain administrative autonomy in many matters. ### Relationship to National Structures Autigny connects to broader French administrative structures through several channels. At the departmental level, the commune is represented in the departmental council, which manages roads, social services, and departmental heritage. The departmental council president serves as the chief executive of the department. At the regional level, Seine-Maritime belongs to the Normandy region, which coordinates economic development, transportation planning, and regional cultural initiatives across the former provinces of Upper and Lower Normandy. The region was reorganized in 2016, merging the two historical Norman departments. Nationally, all French communes are subject to the same legal framework established by national legislation, ensuring administrative uniformity throughout the country while allowing for local adaptation to specific circumstances. ### Cultural and Historical Significance While Autigny itself may not possess famous historical monuments or cultural sites of international renown, it represents the fabric of Norman rural life that has characterized the region for centuries. The commune contributes to the broader cultural identity of Normandy, which includes distinctive traditions, cuisine, and architectural heritage. Norman villages like Autigny typically feature churches, often dating to the medieval period, which serve as architectural landmarks and community gathering places. The relationship between the commune and its church represents the historical intertwining of religious and civic life in French rural communities. The canton of Fontaine-le-Dun, to which Autigny belongs, contributes to the departmental representation system, ensuring that smaller communes have a voice in departmental governance. This system reflects France's commitment to democratic representation across municipalities of varying sizes. ## References 1. BnF authorities 2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 3. INSEE code 4. répertoire géographique des communes 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Annuaire de service-public.fr 7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 8. Populations légales 2016 9. Populations légales 2017 10. Populations légales 2018 11. Populations légales 2019 12. Populations légales 2020 13. Populations légales 2021 14. Populations de référence 2022 15. Populations de référence 2023 16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 18. GeoNames 19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 20. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z) 21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)